Interstitial Cystitis?

Is there anyone else out there with IC? I have it, and have been in a flare for a week and a half now. I can't work out, and while I have done really well eating correctly so far, my willpower is quickly diminishing.....

I was doing well for quite awhile. I felt like I was making amazing progress. Unfortunately, my husband is in the military and with all of the deployments, I see different doctors all the time. Most of them have never even heard of IC. I went in recently to get another prescription for birth control. I requested the brand that has been working for me, without giving me any problems, but my last doctor decided to change my birth control and I think that this has been the cause of my flares. I've made an appointment, but again, with so many deployments, it's a month long wait to be seen.

Hi Jstone.  I know it's a while since you postd on here but I have just been diagnosed with IC and I'm suffering quite badly.  I am reduced to a diet of baby pear juice, boiled water, veg (which isnice), fish, chicken and pears.  Everything else I like to eat is off the list.  I can't have sauces, gravy, mustard, vinegar, apples, chocolate (!!!), wine (!!!!!!), coffee (OH NO!), tea (even!) and worst of all no DIET COKE!!!!!!!!!! and I am really feeling down.  I guess it's good for my health as I am cutting out all the bad stuff I used to love, but there is nothing to look forward to. I just wondered what the birth control pill you were talking about was and how it helps?  Any other ideas, since you may be learnt more about the condition since May when you posted?  thanks Clair

I have been diagnosed for 3 years now. Life without coffee and soda does help with sleeping (and pain!). You can try Sauternes, my personal favorite (dessert) wine, try other late harvest white wines (except Reisling).

Meat is important for your vitamins, consider adding pork into your diet. Other key foods include eggs, broccoli, cabbage, carrots and sweet potatoes. These will supply nutrients you are missing from oranges, tomatoes, etc. Try making pasta sauce and lasagna with a pureed winter squash instead of tomatoes. Pancetta or fennel can be nice with fish instead of lemon and white wine. I also can't eat dairy which can contribute to pain and back aches.

I also am on the pill, I don't believe it matters what brand, everyone reacts differently to each brand, but the hormone control helps me significantly. I take Norinyl straight through (no sugar pills) for months at a time to reduce periods which increase pain. Ask your ob/gyn.

I try a low carb approach. Eat a serving of meat or eggs and twice as many veggies as meat for breakfast and dinner, salad (sorry no dressing) for lunch. Sushi is usually safe and healthy too. Carbs are best for snacks, on the go, but you don't want to depend on them. When you do go for whole grains and brown rice. You can have blueberries and watermelon in addition to pears. Watermelon juice makes great home made popsicles in summer. If you feel deprived, make blueberry muffins or buy rice or coconut ice cream/sorbet (it's better than it sounds). One more trick: when you are stuck drinking plain, flat water: add a small amount of stevia (a plant derived sweetner) to your water for a "sports drink". I drink it at the gym when my mouth is dry.

I cheat on a few things I have been able to tolerate: small amounts of chocolate, avacados, and the occasional apple.

As for flairs out of the blue: you have to prepare your food at home. Food preservatives and additives are among the worst pain triggers. So eating out or buying frozen food, even a scone at Starbucks, may not be entirely safe.

You'll get used to this, just ask your family to keep those beverages and fruits out of site.